Dave918
11-11-2003, 11:24 AM
Bottom line up first: this is the best CD player I have ever listened to period, and I’ve listened to a bunch of them. That’s it, that’s the whole story. You want a top-flight CDP? Give the JD-100A a try, IMO you won’t find any better for the price.
Build quality is first rate, all heavy gauge metal throughout. The heavy brushed aluminum face plate has a clean easy to use layout. The chassis is rock solid, total unit weight is 20+ pounds. Fit and finish are superb. Even the remote is made out of heavy aluminum!
Inside is one of the cleanest, neatest layouts I’ve ever seen. Each of the major sections (tube output, transport, headphone/power) are separated by large full length metal shields. There are two large transformers to power the transport and audio circuits independently. Not an op-amp to be seen, the headphone amp uses MOSFET devices. There are two 12AX7A tubes at the heart of the output section and the sound quality they provide is outstanding. The output is a true tube gain stage; after the DAC, the signal processing is tube, not solid-state. Rounding things out is a top of the line Phillips transport section that is completely silent.
So, how does it sound? In a word – superb. The technology simply disappears and leaves only the music. Bass is nice and tight, mid-range is full and smooth, and the high-end is clean and extended. IMO – it does not sound like a CD player, at least not like I’m used to. I can listen for hours on end (and believe me I have) with absolutely no fatigue. I’m listening to Van Morrison “What’s Wrong With This Picture” as I type and I don’t hear a CD player – I hear the music! My entire CD collection has been renewed; it’s like listening to them again for the first time. I love this player!
Now I’m being told that as good as this unit sounds, it can sound better with different tubes. The stock tubes are good, but changing out to some good NOS tubes will blow me away. Ok, I’ve got some NOS RCA’s on the way. I’ll update this review after I try them out.
Boy, just stepped back a re-read this. LOL! Sounds like I’m trying to sell these things. Well, of course I'm not, but I’m also not going to change a word because it does accurately reflect my opinion. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
My thanks to Brian over at Venus Hi-Fi for recommending this CDP, and his valuable assistance in assembling this system. Thanks Brian!
System:
Antique Sound Lab AQ1001 DT Integrated Tube Amp
Jolida JD 100A Tube CDP
Jean-Marie Reynaud Twin MKIII Loudspeakers
Cables:
Speaker: Monster XP Clear, tinned ends, un-terminated
Interconnects: Dayton Audio Analogue RCA, 1.5m
Power Cables: Stock
Note: Just recently added a Blue Circle BC86 MKIII Powerline Power Filter. Check out my review of this device http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11325
CD’s used for evaluation (all redbook):
Patti Austin “For Ella”
Diana Krall “Live In Paris”
Sara McLachlan “Mirrorball”
John Hiatt “Slow Turning”
Robben Ford “Robben Ford And The Blue Line”
Steely Dan “Aja”
Alison Krauss “Forget About It”
Elvis Costello “My Aim Is True”
Bob Dylan “Blonde on Blonde”
Links to other threads where this system has been discussed:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9823&perpage=40&pagenumber=1
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10875
Specifications:
* Gain stage utilizing two 12AX7A vacuum tubes. Unit does not utilize op-amps.
* Two transformers.
* 24/96 DAC.
* Phillips CDM 12 Transport System.
* Programmable for up to twenty-four tracks.
* Full - function random access metal remote control with search function.
* Track repeat and index of track search function.
* Variable Headphone output.
* Frequency Response: +0.5dB, 20Hz to 20Khz
* S/N Signal to Noise Ratio: >102dB
* THD+ N Distortion: <0.01%, 1KHz
* Channel Separation: >96dB (1KHz)
* Line Output Voltage: >2V, 47 Kohms
* Digital Output: 0.5Vpp, 75 ohms
* Headphone Output: 35mW, 32 ohms
* Dimensions: 17 in. wide by 12 in. deep and 3.5 in. high
* Weight: 22 pounds
Jolida, Inc.
web address: http://www.jolida.com/
Venus Hi-Fi: http://www.venushifi.com/
Check out the “Members Gallery” for photos.
Build quality is first rate, all heavy gauge metal throughout. The heavy brushed aluminum face plate has a clean easy to use layout. The chassis is rock solid, total unit weight is 20+ pounds. Fit and finish are superb. Even the remote is made out of heavy aluminum!
Inside is one of the cleanest, neatest layouts I’ve ever seen. Each of the major sections (tube output, transport, headphone/power) are separated by large full length metal shields. There are two large transformers to power the transport and audio circuits independently. Not an op-amp to be seen, the headphone amp uses MOSFET devices. There are two 12AX7A tubes at the heart of the output section and the sound quality they provide is outstanding. The output is a true tube gain stage; after the DAC, the signal processing is tube, not solid-state. Rounding things out is a top of the line Phillips transport section that is completely silent.
So, how does it sound? In a word – superb. The technology simply disappears and leaves only the music. Bass is nice and tight, mid-range is full and smooth, and the high-end is clean and extended. IMO – it does not sound like a CD player, at least not like I’m used to. I can listen for hours on end (and believe me I have) with absolutely no fatigue. I’m listening to Van Morrison “What’s Wrong With This Picture” as I type and I don’t hear a CD player – I hear the music! My entire CD collection has been renewed; it’s like listening to them again for the first time. I love this player!
Now I’m being told that as good as this unit sounds, it can sound better with different tubes. The stock tubes are good, but changing out to some good NOS tubes will blow me away. Ok, I’ve got some NOS RCA’s on the way. I’ll update this review after I try them out.
Boy, just stepped back a re-read this. LOL! Sounds like I’m trying to sell these things. Well, of course I'm not, but I’m also not going to change a word because it does accurately reflect my opinion. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
My thanks to Brian over at Venus Hi-Fi for recommending this CDP, and his valuable assistance in assembling this system. Thanks Brian!
System:
Antique Sound Lab AQ1001 DT Integrated Tube Amp
Jolida JD 100A Tube CDP
Jean-Marie Reynaud Twin MKIII Loudspeakers
Cables:
Speaker: Monster XP Clear, tinned ends, un-terminated
Interconnects: Dayton Audio Analogue RCA, 1.5m
Power Cables: Stock
Note: Just recently added a Blue Circle BC86 MKIII Powerline Power Filter. Check out my review of this device http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11325
CD’s used for evaluation (all redbook):
Patti Austin “For Ella”
Diana Krall “Live In Paris”
Sara McLachlan “Mirrorball”
John Hiatt “Slow Turning”
Robben Ford “Robben Ford And The Blue Line”
Steely Dan “Aja”
Alison Krauss “Forget About It”
Elvis Costello “My Aim Is True”
Bob Dylan “Blonde on Blonde”
Links to other threads where this system has been discussed:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9823&perpage=40&pagenumber=1
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10875
Specifications:
* Gain stage utilizing two 12AX7A vacuum tubes. Unit does not utilize op-amps.
* Two transformers.
* 24/96 DAC.
* Phillips CDM 12 Transport System.
* Programmable for up to twenty-four tracks.
* Full - function random access metal remote control with search function.
* Track repeat and index of track search function.
* Variable Headphone output.
* Frequency Response: +0.5dB, 20Hz to 20Khz
* S/N Signal to Noise Ratio: >102dB
* THD+ N Distortion: <0.01%, 1KHz
* Channel Separation: >96dB (1KHz)
* Line Output Voltage: >2V, 47 Kohms
* Digital Output: 0.5Vpp, 75 ohms
* Headphone Output: 35mW, 32 ohms
* Dimensions: 17 in. wide by 12 in. deep and 3.5 in. high
* Weight: 22 pounds
Jolida, Inc.
web address: http://www.jolida.com/
Venus Hi-Fi: http://www.venushifi.com/
Check out the “Members Gallery” for photos.